Need for Speed The Run Producer Interview

Need for Speed The Run producer Justin Wiebe explains the first 8 min of gameplay and answers plenty of questions making the video well worth viewing.
[url=http://live-event.ea.com/e3/chat/nfs]Watch it here[/url].

But if you're too lazy to watch the whole vid, here's a summary of all questions:

[i]Will there be free-roam?[/i]
No.

[i]Are there factions in each city to stop you?[/i]
There are only a few factions at a play; the cops (each city will have their own 'flavour'), the mob.

[i]How long is the career?[/i]
The run section is lengthy, and there will be unlockable challenges, which allow you to replay the run using different cars and extras. (he couldn't really put a number to it.)

[i]Is the game going to be available on the Wii?[/i]
Yes. Another team is working on it. Also coming on the 3DS.

[i]Is the helicopter only seen in Chicago?[/i]
No. You will definitely see it more often.

[i]How many miles of map will there be in the game?[/i]
He couldn't really put a number on it, but thought well over 300 km, put to good use to make it feel very very long.
[i]
Why did you choose the Frostbite engine for The Run?[/i]
Besides the graphics, it's an engine that especially allows for easy prototyping to see if things are fun before they overinvest in them.
[i]
Will there be a static camera setting, or do you have a choice?[/i]
Driving camera choices include Hood, Bumper, 3rd person.

[i]It's story based, but can you choose different cars at some point?[/i]
Can choose starting car at the beginning. Throughout the run, you'll have to swap cars. Most of the time you will have a choice what these cars will be.

[i]Will there be a vast amount of cars to choose from?[/i]
No number given, but it's supposed to be a "robust list".

[i]How will the cars handle?[/i]
Will be accessible but challenging.

[i]Is there going to be destruction in the game? (Frostbite related)[/i]
Plenty breakables on track, not much buildings etc. (said not realistic for a car game)

[i]Do you need origin to play the game? (what is this about? o.O)[/i]
No.

[i]Are we going to have any pre-order specials?[/i]
They are working on it.

[i]What was the inspiration behind The Run?[/i]
Movies like Cannonballrun, Game engine itself.

[i]Is there day and night?[/i]
Yes. Also weather change.

[i]Are there going to be massive police chases with tons of cop cars?[/i]
Yes and no. Not like MW/C/UC.
[i]
How long has the game been in production?[/i]
3 years.

[i]Is The Run's story connected with Underground/MW?[/i]
No.

[i]How is the damage model in The Run?[/i]
Cars can get pretty banged up. Fairly equivelant to HP.

[i]How much of the game will be on foot vs in Car?[/i]
On foot probably < 10% of the game.

[i]How many drivers do you face against in a typical stage in the career?[/i]
Start at 150th, on average 20-30. Events will set you back every now and then.

[i]What has been the biggest issue for BB developing this NFS vs past NFS'?[/i]
The out of car has been very challenging.

[i]Will there be multiplayer and what will it be like?[/i]
They are working on it, revealing more around august.

[i]Are there fully voiced sequences?[/i]
They don't want to reveal too much at this point.


(Thanks YaelDjiel)